Tom Delay Finally Indicted
Posted by Moonage on 28 Sep 2005 | Tagged as: National Politics
A Texas grand jury on Wednesday charged Rep. Tom DeLay and two political associates with conspiracy in a campaign finance scheme, an indictment that could force him to step down as House majority leader.
In previous posts about Tom Delay, I have expressed my displeasure with his leadership. As well, I have opposed the Republicans changing the rules for him. And, I have felt that the bulk of Tom’s problems are motivated by his craft, that being ruthless politics. However, he has now been indicted, time for the Republicans to choose a new House Majority Leader.
That’s a good thing whether Tom’s innocent or not.
More blogs on Tom Delay
6 Comments »
on 28 Sep 2005 at 2:47 pm 1.Taylor Kirk said …
I’m so happy he’s been indicted. This jerk redrew my Congressional district, and left my Congressman’s house just outside the border so he couldn’t run again without moving.
Taylor
The Latin Americanist
http://ourlatinamerica.blogspot.com
on 28 Sep 2005 at 4:29 pm 2.Bryan Kerwick
said …
I hope all those who are happy to hear of the indicted Rep. from Texas have actually read the indictment.
I do not profess to be an expert in Texas Political Finance Law but common sense tells me that this will not stick.
Common sense also tells me that Texas Politics is a full contact sport. There will be hell to pay for this sham and I expect the repurcussions to go well beyond the borders of Texas.
I imagine someone opened up a pandora’s box that will not be closed again anytime soon and there will be many, many political casualties involved in this one.
on 28 Sep 2005 at 8:28 pm 3.Stormwarning
said …
A sham?
Is it possible to find an honest politician in Washington DC? Actually, I think so. Many of the Representatives (both sitting and retired) with whom I’ve had contact are honorable people. Also, this is not to even begin to suggest that there isn’t wrong doing and possible ethics violations on both sides of the aisle. But this is a serious series of allegations.
But DeLay is accused on violating Texas election laws by diverting corporate donations back to Texas legislative races (Texas legislators are forbidden to accept corporate donations)…if proven this is money laundering…taking corporate moneys to Washington DC and then, by instruction, sending it back to the Texas legislative races “clean” (as a donation from the RNC). If the moneys sent to Texas were part of a quid pro quo, this is a serious charge.
I know that Moon disagrees with this, but a number of “pundits” (including some Republicans) believe that DeLay’s time in Congress is just about over…exonerated or not.
As with some of the other “controversies” I am willing to wait to see the outcome, and accept the results.
on 28 Sep 2005 at 10:03 pm 4.Moonage
said …
Well, two things strike me right off the bat. #1 Delay COULD have invoked the statute of limitations but chose not to do so. Gives me the impression he thinks he’s so innocent he’s willing to take it to the AG as much as the AG’s wanting to stick it to him. #2 I have read the Texas laws cited in the indictment as well as the indictment itself. It strikes me that there is no paper trail leading to Delay, but there is a paper trail leading to others in TRMPAC. I think Delay will make an issue that the proper legal path would have been to go after everyone on the paper trail at least. To forego the obvious and lash out at an “innocent bystander” is suspicious whether anyone likes Delay or not, which I don’t.
There are plenty of honest politicians in DC, they just never make the news.
And, although a lot of pundits may be predicting Delay’s ultimate demise, they don’t vote for him. The people in other districts in Texas that hate him don’t vote for him either. The congressmen he put the screws to don’t vote for him. About 250,000 people that he’s been doling out the pork to vote for him and that’s all. I know how hard it is to oust an incumbant. That’s why I predicted in April I think it was that Tom’s days as majority leader were limited. But, that’s the only prediction I made. I’ll leave the voting to the people of that district, I’m just glad he’s not making decisions for my party any more.
on 29 Sep 2005 at 6:38 am 5.Stormwarning
said …
Of course, I knew your point of view ahead of time. I just thought that this particular “Moon Thought” was important to be heard here and should be on the thread. Its an important perspective, IMO.
Truthfully, one of the primary “pundits” posing/stating the DeLay is “finished” was Pat Robertson. I know that he doesn’t speak for the voters of Texas or for DeLay’s district. Doesn’t he represent the Sugarland area in Houston (like one of the wealthiest districts in Texas)?
on 29 Sep 2005 at 8:24 am 6.Moonage
said …
He does represent Sugarland, but I’m not sure of it’s status in regards to wealth. Whether it is or not, Delay has access to tons of money for his defense.